Diamond Dogs

Inner Mongolia.

The last stop. The end of the line.

I first set foot here for a six-month job in a gold mine.

That was six years ago.

The fact is, no matter how far you run from your past,

it's never far enough.

Anyway, wherever you are, you stick to what you know best.

So I opened Ronson Security.

The only problem is, my last client dropped by about two years ago.

True, money's short, but a prizefight here and there,

along with some well-placed bets with my Chinese partner,

squeezing the local guys for some cash will do for now.

Until that really big job comes along.

Next match.

The Chinese champion...

vs. The Russian champion!

Lan Shen, Shu He, Barte.

Anyone else wanna bet? Anybody?

Go.

- Still wanna bet? - Of course!

See that American guy? He's my friend.

The fuck he is! I still have a lot of money!

How much you wanna bet?

400.

Good! You'll lose.

In your dreams.

You're lucky!

Your ass is blessed.

Hey, Ronson. It's your turn next.

Next match.

You ready?

Of course!

The Mongolian champion: Urga.

The town's reigning champion: Ronson.

Ronson!

You! Come here.

- Still wanna bet? - How much?

Now it's 2,000. OK?

I've some bad news for you, big guy.

The odds just went up

and you're going down.

Yeah! Ronson won! He won!

Ronson! He won! He won!

Everybody stay where you are! Don't move!

You got the wrong person.

You got the wrong person!

You again.

You are beginning to be a regular "guest" here.

Last week, it was bankruptcy.

Mr. Ronson... what about your debts?

You owe 160,000 yuan to your creditors,

which is around $20,000.

A down payment.

A down payment.

Mr. Ronson, that'll just about cover you and your friend's fine

for today's fighting and gambling in a public place.

Then, we'll just have to keep you here

until you pay off your debts.

How can I... How can I pay my debts if I'm locked up?

Your Honor, he is an honest, good man.

You see, if it wasn't for him...

We were hired by some men

to take the gold in a remote gold mine.

If Mr. Ronson hadn't helped me escape,

I would have died!

- They lied to us. - Enough!

- He rescued me. - Enough!

He's been very good to me ever since.

Mr. Ronson, you've got four weeks.

If everyone isn't paid by then,

you will be back in prison for a long time.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Goodbye, Ronson.

- Welcome to Mongolia, sir. - The name's Chambers.

I ordered your best suite and rooms for my staff.

Oh, yes, of course, Mr. Chambers, our best suite.

You know, they say that money can't buy loyalty.

I've always found the very opposite to be true.

You get one of these every day that I'm satisfied

with this hole.

Yes, sir.

- Junji? - Sir.

Make sure you go and check the room first for any

unwanted little creatures.

Yes, sir.

Jim? You go take care of that business for tonight.

Ronson Security. I'm already on it.

Yo!

Haunting fragrance, Anika dear. Sure to get Mr. Ronson's attention.

They're leaving the hotel now.

See that guy over there?

He's my friend, Ronson.

More beer.

All right. I appreciate it.

Cheers.

Okay.

You?

I bet he'll win. Wanna bet?

Yeah? OK. 100.

100. Another 100.

Begin!

100. 100.

That guy...

Okay...

One second.

Okay.

Hey, Ronson! Wait!

Look at the money we won!

Hey! Don't go.

Hey! My friend just left. Ronson!

Shit! Not again.

Congratulations, Mr. Ronson. Very well done.

- You've just passed the audition. - Who the hell are you?

Who I am is of no consequence.

Why don't I come over there and finish the audition?

Ouch!

I have a job proposition for you.

- Not interested. - Pity.

It's a very lucrative proposition.

Mr. Ronson, it seems that you are in,

how shall we say, somewhat of a financial pickle?

Nothing hustling the local boys for a little cash can't fix.

Twenty grand in two weeks. I doubt it.

All right.

You got 15 minutes to undo

a very bad first impression.

This is my butler, Junji. He's been with me forever.

Junji?

It's Chinese for peaceful and obedient.

Honey? Why don't you get Mr. Ronson his drink?

- What do you drink? - Anything.

My kind of man.

You'll have to excuse my stepdaughter. She can be a bit predatory.

So what brought you to Inner Mongolia?

The liquor's cheap. The laws are loose

and the women are willing.

What more can a man ask for?

A colorful story, but not quite the way I heard it.

Mr. Ronson,

why don't you tell us about your exploits as a Green Beret captain?

It makes quite the interesting tale.

Most highly decorated,

responsible for the deaths of every member of your platoon?

Well, that's quite an accomplishment,

being both the best and the worst your country has to offer.

Look, you mentioned a business proposition.

You can start with the cash end of it.

That always has a way of getting my undivided attention.

The equivalent of a hundred thousand U.S. Dollars cash

for joining us on our little expedition as head of security,

local guide and interpreter.

A week of your time.

Possibly less.

Twenty five thousand now,

and the other 75,000

after you safely escorted Anika and myself back with the object in question.

What object in question?

An ancient Buddhist tapestry,

the Tangka of God Ochirvaani,

protector of Mongolia.

A priceless relic, Mr. Ronson,

long rumored to hold great spiritual powers.

Last seen in 1935,

just before the Soviet crackdown on religion,

when it was brought to China in the hands of a few faithful,

now long dead, keepers of the flame.

The diamonds alone are thought to be worth 50 million on today's market.

Now, let me get this straight. Last seen in 1935.

- And you suddenly know how to find it? - Yes.

And let's just call that my little secret.

I have no doubt that the document in question,

a map, is the genuine article.

So Mr. Ronson, in for a penny in for a pound?

I've already arranged for a leading Asian archeologist to accompany us.

So, let me have a look at that precious map of yours.

I think not.

This is my expedition and you'll do as you're told.

Well, it's your cash.

You've just hired yourself a local guide for the trip.

Excellent.

So, you wanna settle up on that down payment now?

Do you want to finish your drink, Mr. Ronson?

Later.

For you.

Listen. Get me the $20 million.

I'll give you the Tangka and it's the real thing.

Okay? Good.

Well, well, Mr. Ronson. We finally meet.

I know that you have been hired by Mr. Chambers to retrieve the Tangka.

I want you to work for me.

I will pay you double whatever he's paying you.

All you have to do, Mr. Ronson, is,

when you have the Tangka in your possession,

you bring it to me.

Well, I'm sure Mr. Chambers

and his bodyguards will have something to say about that.

Not interested.

That is very unfortunate.

I always get what I want.

Well, I'm glad we got that out of the way